These wagtails start breeding in late February and some of the males were already singing. Unlike the more common White Wagtail, this species keeps the same plumage year-round. The sexes are similar with the male being solid black on its back and the female with a slight grayish tinge. This distinctive species is endemic to Japan but some migrate to South Korea. White Wagtails have been expanding their range in Japan in recent decades, but their expansion has not impacted these Japanese Wagtails which seem to prefer wetter habitats.